Police warn public about sex offender’s release

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This article was published 18/08/2010 (5499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG — Police are notifying the community about the release of a high-risk sex offender who gets out of jail today.

Kevin Scott Steppan, 25, is considered at high risk to become involved in further sexual offences.

The Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit, a joint forces unit of the Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP, said Steppan is expected to take up residence in Winnipeg.

Steppan, who was featured in a Free Press article today about a woman who fears for her safety upon his release, has previous convictions for sexual assault with a weapon as well as many other criminal offences. Although he participated in sex offender treatment programs while in prison, he is still considered high risk to re-offend, police said in a news release. Women are at risk of sexual violence, police said.

Police released a description of the white, 6-foot-1, 141-pound man with blue eyes and blond hair.

They said they provided the information to enable members of the public to take suitable measures to protect themselves. “Any form of vigilante activity or other unreasonable conduct directed at Kevin Scott Steppan will not be tolerated,” police said.

They also released a list of his criminal past.

On Aug. 8, 2005, he approached a sex trade worker, took her to a secluded area along the riverbank in Winnipeg where he punched and kicked her numerous times causing injuries and attempted to throw her into the river. Two days later, he approached another sex trade worker. He took her to a secluded area where he began touching her in a sexual manner. He produced a rope which he put around the victim’s neck. A struggle followed in which Steppan punched the victim, ripped off her shirt and bra and pulled down her pants. The victim was able to step out of her pants and escape. Steppan was arrested a few days later and was remanded in custody.

Between Sept. 18, 2006 and Oct. 31, 2006, while in custody at Headingley Correctional Institution awaiting court on the above described offences, Steppan made numerous harassing telephone calls of a sexual nature to a woman. At his sentencing hearing, Steppan was declared a Long Term Offender. He completes the prison portion of his sentence today, and will be subject to the conditions of a long-term supervision order for 10 years.